Combined baffle and oil supply means for oil burners



G. C. PETER Jan. 11, 1949.

COMBINED BAFFLE AND OIL SUPPLY MEANS FOR OIL BURNERS Filed NOV. 29, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 00 0000000 000O00000 v,l 0 6 0 0 INVENTOR.

6245406 g ez er o I T G. C. PETER Jan. 11, 1949.

COMBINED BA FFLE AND OIL SUPPLY MEANS FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Nov. 29, 1946 z Sheets-Sheet 2 l x C [lilo Z luraliL .4 I l, mmm Hans d o .l m 0 olflmui m o a m o o m o o O m e o I o o o m o o O V o o o .o h o G 7 o o o o @3 moo W |M Patented Jan. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

COIVIBINED BAFFLE AND OIL SUPPLY MEANS FOR OIL BURNERS Gustave C. Peter, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application November 29, 1946, Serial No. 712,814

12 Claims. (Cl. 158-28) My present invention is concerned with a combined battle and oil supply means for oil burners. A principal object of the invention is to provide for varying concurrently the flow of vapor from the vaporizing chamber and the amount of liquid fuel entering into the same.

Specifically, the present improvements are concerned with an oil burner having means for changing the size of the opening between the vaporizing and combustion chambers, consisting of 'a plurality of bafile plates each having a central open-v ing of smaller size than the opening between the vaporizing and combustion chambers, and each different from the others; together with a fuel control valve connected with the mechanism for operating the baflie plates whereby to vary the amount of fuel entering the vaporizer in accordance with the area of the central opening through the bafil-e plate which is in operative position at the time. Between the baflle operating means and the fuel control valve I provide operative interconnections which are simple, dependable, inexpensive, and easy to install, and which provide a combined control that is advantageous from the standpoints of economy in fuel consumption, and clean combustion during the stages of low, intermediate and high fires.

An exemplification of this invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a cabinet containing an oil burn-er equipped with the interrelated dual control of this invention, the front wall of the cabinet being broken away to exhibit the top of the pot burner interiorly thereof;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation, somewhat enlarged, of the lower end of the cabinet, broken away in part to exhibit the oil burner and combustion chamber therewithin;

The oil burner, here shown as of the space heater type, is provided with a cabinet wherein is contained a pot burner B having a, top flange 5 adapted to rest upon an annular ledge '6 extending inwardly from the cabinet walls in whose upper region is the combustion chamber. The pot burner shown in section in Fig. 3, is provided at the top with a baflle plate in the form of an annular ring H having a central opening 12 which constitutes the passageway between the vaporizing chamber within the pot burner and the combustion chamber thereabove. The walls of the pot burner are formed with air ports l5 constituting primary air inlets, and near its top with other ports l6 which serve as secondary air inlets. These ports may be of whatever size, number, and arrangement that is desired for the intended purpose, it being preferred that the secondary air inlets near the top be somewhat more closely grouped together, as shown.

Liquid fuel is admitted into the pot burner close to its bottom through a conduit 20 which extends from a float chamber 2| that is mounted exteriorly of the combustion chamber. This float chamber may be of any approved design with an inlet near the bottom for fuel which is conducted thereto through a pipe 22. The liquid fuel in flowing through the chamber is taken through a passageway 25 wherein is a well 26 into which may enter the conical valve 21 at the bottom end of a valve stem 28 that is reciprocably mounted within a vertical passageway 30. Near its top this passageway is enlarged to accommodate a coil spring 32 which exerts an upward thrust on a collar 33 that is affixed to the stem having its top end terminating in a head 35' which is protruded upwardly beyond the top face of the float chamber. The vertical position of the valve will determine the size of the opening at the passageway 2 5 through which liquid fuel must flow in reaching the outlet of the float chamber for conduction through the pipe 20 into the pot burner.

The air control which I provide consists of mountings near opposite edges of the baflle plate I I for other hinged baflle plates 35 and 36. Each of these plates is carried by an arm 31 which joins thereto near one edge thereof, and is provided with a transverse opening through which may be extended an operating rod 40 which is made fast thereto. Each rod is rotatably supported within a, pair of ears 42 which upstand from the fixed baffle plate II, and is extended laterally and outwardly away from the pot burner through the walls of the cabinet 0 .so as to be accessible for manipulation upon the outer front face thereof where a laterally turned extension 45 provides an operating handle therefor.

The two baffle plates 35 and 36 are each annular in form to provide a center opening, but the openings of these two plates differ m size from each other, and both are smaller than the opening I2 in the 'fixedbaffie plate I I. By operation of either of the handles 45, the associated baffle plate 35 or 36, as the case may be, may be swung down to a the efiect being to reduce the size of the opening which intervenes between the vaporizing and combustion chambers. The baiiie plate H acts as a high fire damper because its opening is the largest; the bafile 36 is the intermediate fire damper because its opening is somewhat less in size; and the bafile 3.5 is the low fire damper because its opening is the smallest. Since it is possible to swing down into operative position upon the pot burnereither of the bathe plates 35 or 36, or leave both of them in up position, this simple arrangement provides for three sizes of openings to be selectively used, depending upon whether it is a low fire, medium lire, or .highfir condition to be favored.

For best results it is desirable that the amount of fuel entering into the pot burner be varied in accordance with the conditions within the vaporizing chamber. Since these conditions arelargely a function of the area of the opening "between the vaporizing and combustion chambers, I have provided thrust motion transmitting means for varying the position of the fuel valve 28 in accordance with operation of the bafile plates at the top-of the burner. This part of my invention will now be described.

Totheitop of the float chamber I-affix a pair of supporting brackets 50, both alike, and located by preference at opposite sides of the valve stem head 35'. Each bracket is provided at its top with -a pivotal mounting '5'] for a bell-crank having a relatively vertical arm 55 and a'relatively horizontal arm 56 from whose time end depends a finger 5! adapted to bear upon the'head 35 of the valve stemi28. Each upstanding arm v55 also extends outwardly to engage :a cam 58 on the proximate shaft v ll). As shown, each cam consistsof a strap encircling the shaft with ,its twovends joined as bya screw 59.

The-brackets '50 extend upwardly from a base 65 :which carries ,a pair of :bosses efileachthreaded .to :receive an adjustable stop screw 6"! which projects :upwardly "therefrom for a desired-distance. shown in Fig. :4,,:one of these screws extendsupwardlyiromsthetop of the float chamber slightly higher-thandoes-the other. The top endof each screwrfm'nishes a stop against-which the crank arm "56 will abut .to Jimitits rocking movement :inwardly rza-nd downwardly, thereby determining'the distance i-towhich the valvestem will be depressed in response to such :motion. It is obvious :that by adjusting the twoscrews :61 to different heights the two bell ,=eranks :when operated, will ,adepress thewal-ve :stemZ-B .{or difie-rent distances, thereby warYiI g the clearance through the -fuel passageway ,25.

,If both baflie -,pla-tes :35 and 36 be allowedvto remain in their up positions, ,as shown abyiull lines atthe right of Fig.4-and by dotted lines at the left thereof, -both =bell1cranks-55 will ibe free to rock back by gravity ;so ;as jlZO rest against the shafts all). The -;rotative position of each :cam 58 is such ,as to assure this ;-result. The yalvestem 28- under such conditions-willrise to its top position "whereby -amaximurmflow :of fuel to the ;pot burner may take place. This is the condition which obtains for high fire. For the low fire condition, however, the baflie plate '35 is lowered to;position as indicated by the full line showing inFig. 4. Here the bell crank arm 55 is tilted forwardly to lower its arm 55 to the limit permittedby the stop screw-Bl. The valve stem 2-8 is then pushed-downto -reduce to a minimum the clearance through-theconduit 25, asrequired; for allowfire condition. ishouldtheotherbafilerplate 35;he .low ered topositionsi-nstearl of the plate 135,

then the controls will be set for a medium fire condition. Here the size of the opening through the baffle plate is somewhat reduced from that which is provided in the fixed bafiie plate II. In reaching this position, the cam 58 on the associated shaft 48 pushes the bell crank arm 55 in- Wardly to depress its lower arm 5'5 as far as is permitted by the adjustment of the stop screw 6'1. This is so placed as to arrest down movement of the valve stem 28 when it has partially closed the conduit 25, but not so much so as in the adjustment for low fire.

'It will be observed that the parts entering into :the dual control herein described are very few and simple in construction. When once installed,they may be operated conveniently from the :outsi de of the cabinet at the point where the fuel control valve is ordinarily placed. At the start, adjustments are made for the low fire condition by swinging the battle plate 35 into opera five-position. Late-ig'this is replaced by the baffle plate'36 seas-to providejfavorable conditions for a medium fire. 'In each of these operations, the fuel-valve'is also operated so as to regulate in accordancet'herewith the amount of fuel admitted to the pot burner. Finally, when high fire .condit'ions-prevail, bothbaffie plates 35 and '36 are raised so that a maximum clearance may obtain between'the vaporizing and combustion chambers, with the fuel valve also opened to its maximum position.

By :the means herein described, any separate operation ofthe flow control meanscan be elimated. In nhoosingitherproper fire by operation ,of the jcnntrol for the baille plates, the ,oil control is automatically operated, thereby providing va dependable arrangement 'for control of the fuel feed. -While :the mechanism heretofore described is onethat maybe manually operated, it is apparent that power means maybe employed for thesa-me purpose. Anadvantageous result is attained by use vof :a single movable loafile plate for varying the ,area of the opening between the vaporizing and -combustion chambers, although the dual arrangement herein shown will be preferred in most cases.

A feature of advantage inherent in this invention is the simplicityzof thefewparts that combine together to make upthe-dual control. These parts may be installed for operation with many existing types ,of oil burners with little or no preparatory work being :reoulred. The fixed bailieplataas shown,,pr,oyides amountingior the movable .ihaflle platesandin .the usual float valve chamber the valve ,stem protrudes .upwardly through its top twhereon maybe ,aiiixed the unitary support for both bell crank levers-and their associatedparts. ,Thelocation of thecontrols thus provided may be at the front of the burner where they are most accessible and convenientjorp eration.

1. For an oil burner having'avaporizing chamber ,open atlits ,up ertend, a combined baflle land oilsupply means, said means comprising a baffle plate mounted adjacentsaid opening and adapted to swin flown 'from a relatively vertical position at one side of said opening to a positionpartially closing the same to regulate -the .flow of vapor from said burner, 'an operating rod in connection with said baffle plate, a valve ,for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, reciprocable operating means for, said-valve, a ,bell crank lever pivoted intermediate iits ends adjacent said valve and having one arm proximate to the operating rod for the baffle plate and the other arm engageable with the valve operating means, and a cam device on the operating rod engageable with one arm of the lever when the former is rotated to swing its associated baffle plate to down position, whereby it engages said arm to rock the bell crank and actuate the valve operating means toward its closed position.

2. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper end, a combined baiile and oil supply means, said means comprising a baflle plate mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the opening to regulate the flow of vapor from the burner, operating means for said bafile plate, a valve for regulating the supply of liquid fuel to the burner, a cam associated with the operating means to be moved thereby, and a pivotally mounted lever extending between the cam and said valve adapted to actuate the latter toward its closed position when said bafiie plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber.

3. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper ends, a combined bafile, and oil supply means, said means comprising a pair of baiile plates each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the same to regulate the flow of vapor from the burner, independent operating means for said baffle plates, a valve for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, a cam associated with each operating means to be moved thereby, and a pivotallymounted lever extending between each cam and said valve, each lever adapted to actuate said valve toward closed position when the associated baiile plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the'vaporizing chamber.

4. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper end, a combined bafiie and oil supply means, said means comprising a pair of baffles each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side of the opening to a position partially closing the opening to regulate the flow of vapor from the burner, independent operating means for said baffle plates, a valve for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, a cam associated with each operating means to be moved thereby, a pivotally mounted lever extending between each cam and said valve, each lever adapted to actuate said valve toward closed position when the associated bafile plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber, and a pair of adjustable stops, one engageable with each lever, adapted to limit the extent of motion transmitted thereby to said valve whereby one lever is restrained from actuating said valve a lesser distance toward its closed position.

5. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper end, a combined baiile and oil supply means, said means comprising a baffle plate mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side of the opening to a position partially closing the same to new late the flow of vapor from the burner, operating means for the baffle plate, a valve spring-actuated in one direction for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, a cam associated with the operating means to be moved thereby, and motiontransmitting thrust means extending between the cam and said valve adapted to actuate the latter,

counter'to the tension of its spring, toward a closed position when said baffle plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber.

6. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upperend, a combined bafile and oil supply means, said means comprising a pair of bafiie plates each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the opening to regulate the flow of vapor from the burner, a valve spring-actuated in one direction for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, independent operating means for the baffie plates, a cam associated with each operating means to be moved thereby, and unidirectional motion-transmitting means extending between each cam and said valve, each adapted to actuate the latter, counter to the tension of its spring, toward closed position when the associated baille plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber.

7. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chain ber open'at its upper end, a combined bafile and oil .supply means, said means comprising a pair of baille plates each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the same to regulate the'flow of vapor from the burner, independent operating means for said baiiie plates, a valve spring-actuated in one direction for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, a cam associated with each operating means to be moved thereby, unidirectional motion-transmit ting means extending between each cam and said valve, each of said motion-transmitting means adapted to actuate said valve, counter to the tension of its spring, toward closed position when the associated baflle plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber, and a pair of adjustable stops, one engageable with each motiontransmitting means adapted to limit the extent of motion transmitted thereby to said valve, whereby one motion-transmitting means is restrained from actuating the valve a lesser distance toward its closed position.

8. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper end, a combined bafile and oil supply means, said means comprising a pair of baffle plates each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the same to regulate the flow of vapor from the burner, a valve for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, said valve having an operating head extending exteriorly of a housing therefor, a bracket unit mounted on said valve housing, a pair of levers mounted on the bracket unit and each provided with means engaging said valve head, operating means for each of the balile plates, and a cam associated with each operating means to be moved thereby, each lever being engaged by one of the cams to be operated thereby when its associated baille plate is moved to a position to partially close the opening in the upper end of the vaporizing chamber, whereby said valve is operated concurrently therewith.

9. For an oil burner having a vaporizing chamber open at its upper end, a combined baiile and oil supply means, said means comprising a pair of baffie plates each mounted adjacent said opening for movement from a position at one side thereof to a position partially closing the same to regulate the flow of vapor from the 

